Wednesday, September 10, 2008

According to a story by Binghamton Senators beat writer Michael Sharp of the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin, Matt Carkner is going to be working his way in training camp as a right winger. After playing defence on teh B-Sens last year, Carkner wanted Sens brass to know that he was more than willing to switch to the wing if it meant an opportunity to play in the NHL. Here's a portion of the story:

Apparently, the Senators are receptive to the idea, and so beginning next week, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Carkner will get a look at right wing during training camp. He's been told Ottawa officials would like him to be versatile -- be it up as a forward or back on the blue line -- and if he's returned to Binghamton, he'll remain a defenseman.

"We've come to an agreement that his best chance to make the NHL team is as a forward -- a right winger," Senators assistant general manager Tim Murray said. "Bring some toughness, and character, and a great influence in the dressing room. And he is still a defenseman at the (American Hockey League) level, so he's going to have to make that adjustment when he gets called up."

Considering the current overflow of third- and fourth-line forwards the Senators are currently sporting, this is an interesting decision. Carkner, however, may be the best heavyweight in the Senators' system now that Brian McGrattan has been traded, so he might be viewed as a possible recall if the Sens run into some fight-filled rivalries. Or maybe that trade that Bryan Murray is inevitably choreographing to move some of our one-way NHL contracts will clear some room for Carkner. Time will tell.